WASHINGTON (March 23, 2026) – The Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) is now accepting applications for the 2026 Polyurethane Innovation Award, which recognizes companies and individuals whose vision and perseverance bring groundbreaking polyurethane technologies, products, and initiatives to market.
Applications will be accepted through June 19, 2026, and the award will be presented during the 2026 Polyurethanes Technical Conference.
For nearly two decades, the Polyurethane Innovation Award has recognized the cutting-edge ideas and advancements that continue to drive the industry forward.
“Every year, the polyurethane industry continues to innovate new breakthroughs and creative solutions for modern life,” said Jason Sloan, director of CPI. “The Polyurethane Innovation Award highlights the ingenuity and technical expertise that drive our industry forward and demonstrate the incredible versatility of polyurethane materials.”
The 2025 Polyurethane Innovation Award was awarded to Soleic®,developed by Algenesis Labs. Algensis Labs describes Soleic® as a novel polyurethane technology that meets the performance demands of traditional polyurethane applications while being made from renewable, plant-based raw materials. At end-of-life, Soleic® is designed to fully biodegrade in compost, soil, and marine environments, breaking down into CO₂ and biomass instead of persisting in ecosystems.
Entries must meet the following criteria and be submitted by June 19, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET:
- Products must have entered the market for the first time in the U.S., between June 21, 2024, and June 19, 2026
- Entries submitted in a previous year are not eligible for resubmission
- Submissions must relate to polyurethane chemistry, defined as the reaction of an isocyanate with a polyol.
- Eligible entries include finished products, initiatives, training or education programs, processes, or processing equipment
More information and the application can be found here.
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